The Kiln Theatre is currently premiering Shanghai Dolls, a compelling new play by Amy Ng, directed by Katie Posner.
The production stars Millicent Wong as Li Lin/Sun Weishi, alongside Gabby Wong, and delves into the untold stories of two influential women during the Cultural Revolution.
Shanghai Dolls promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of friendship, politics, and history. Performances run from April 3 to May 10, 2025. Book your tickets here.
You’re starring in Shanghai Dolls at Kiln Theatre; what can you tell us about the show?
It’s an electrically charged whirlwind of a story that follows two women across three decades who strive to make their art, and their voices heard amidst a landscape of social turbulence, all whilst trying to remain true to their friendship.
Shanghai Dolls explores the lives of two influential women during the Cultural Revolution. How did you prepare for your role as Li Lin/Sun Weishi?
I always try to find a “meeting point” with myself and my characters, and with Li Lin/Sun Weishi, I found lots of ways that I could relate to her journey. I have a deep love for telling stories and acting – I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so in the UK industry – and as a Singaporean actor living and working abroad in the UK, I know what it’s like to love theatre so much and want to make a difference with my art, it makes the inevitable sadness of being apart from my family worth it. Finding the empathy for a character’s choices and, by extension, my own, is a way that helps me to really connect with their journey.
What was it like working with director Katie Posner and the rest of the creative team on this production?
This has been hands down one of my favourite projects to work on so far! Katie Posner runs the room beautifully and finds the balance between trusting her actors to explore the piece and shaping all the different elements to flow into one another seamlessly. The team are fiercely intelligent and generous individuals who give their all to their work and do so with open hearts. It’s been the best start to the year.
Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you faced during rehearsals?
One of my favourite parts of rehearsals was collaborating on the movement sequence that Sun has near the end of the play. Annie-Lunette (our movement director) and I worked together on the physical language of this sequence in a way I never expected, and once we showed that to Nicola Chang (sound design) she layered her own vision on top of that. I am so proud of what we created and how organic the process felt! I don’t get many chances to move in such a way, so this feels like a rare treat.
How do you think Shanghai Dolls will resonate with audiences today, given its historical context?
I didn’t know much about these two women or the events in the play when I first auditioned for it, but it’s been such a journey of discovery to go on, and I’m sure it will have the same effect for audiences.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Shanghai Dolls?
Come to see a tale of friendship, of finding your personal truth, and of persistence.
